Oculus Rift Vs HTC Vive

Of the various takeaways from CES 2016, Virtual reality is one. Yes, wearable technology section that was rudimentary in the early 1990s has shaped into a promising market, and it is here to stay and flourish. Interestingly, to let you have an immersive experience of it on the go, all virtual reality technology makers are targeting to sync it with phones, the must-have consumer electronics device.

Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are at the forefront of virtual reality, and hence, it would be interesting to explore their features and benefits. Techvedic is here to make your task easier.

None is leading the tally here. In both cases, an adjustable strap mounts the bulky and lightweight headset on your forehead which then allows you to have an unobstructed view of the world of virtual reality. However, the latest iteration of HTC VR, i.e. Vive Pre that went on display at CES 2016 has a reduced size than that of its predecessor’s. Vive Pre headset features 37 sensors to let it establish connectivity with wireless cameras in the tracking space. Oculus Rift has a sleeker exterior design and smaller footprint. However, the finishing models of both would have glasses, wired connectivity to your PCs, and audio-outputs to let you plug-in your headphones whenever required.

Controls

In the early shipments, you fill find Oculus Rift with the same controller that feature with Xbox One. However, before Q1 2016, that is likely to get replaced by Oculus Touch which would include a joystick and button setup. Both will be deriving power from the low-latency tracking technology that helps in locating the relative position of the headset. HTC Vive will get accompanied with SteamVR custom controller. Sleek design, textured buttons and grip pads are likely to enhance the ergonomic experience.

Performance

With 90 frames per second video quality, both HTC Vive and Oculus Rift promise to offer rich-visuals. However, Vive seems to be taking an edge here. Leveraging its tracked controller equipped with Full Room Scale 360 Degree Solution, you would be able to get up, walk around and explore your virtual space. Interaction with surroundings is likely to become more intuitive. Moreover, Vive is built on the trusted architect of Valve that has a proven track record of developing stunning games to the likes of Portal and half-Line. Hence, you can expect a good deal of games at your fingertips. Virtual reality experience also depends upon the configuration of the connected PC. Oculus Rift has disclosed the minimum system requirements in its case as we can see in the table above, while the HTC Vive has yet to announce them.

Software

Facebook, the manufacturer, is leaving no stone unturned to rope in big publishers to make Oculus Rift a big success. Rock Band VR, a virtual reality based entry that appeared in Hromonix’s long-running music franchise, Edge of Nowhere from Insomniac, noted simulator The Climb from Crytek, free copy of Lucky’s Tale and deluxe edition of EVE: Valkyrie (only in pre-orders) are a few exclusive titles that will push Rift.

HTC Vive Pre doesn’t make any tall claim in this context. Its official website only showcases Job Simulator and The Blue: Encounter as the prominent content. However, considering HTC’s affiliation with Valve, there is little doubt about its capabilities in offering quality gaming experience.

Hope you enjoyed. I’m signing off the day; however, I will be back soon with more news and updates on tech innovations, grilling reviews, tips and all that you want to make your life accomplished and entertained, until then goodbye.